Summary
Overview
Dr. Chris Van Tulleken and Dr. Xand Van Tulleken continue their conversation with Professor Tess McPherson, a consultant dermatologist specializing in adolescent skin conditions. This extended discussion explores the profound psychological impact of acne on young people, the effectiveness and concerns around various treatments including isotretinoin, and the complex relationship between social media, skincare routines, and mental health. Tess shares insights from her 15 years of research and clinical practice, emphasizing that while acne is highly treatable, it can cause both physical and emotional scarring that lasts a lifetime.
The Psychological Impact and Social Consequences of Acne
Tess explains how acne affects young people far beyond the physical symptoms, creating ripple effects that can shrink someone's entire life. Society judges people with acne not just as less attractive, but as less employable and less healthy, leading to real missed opportunities. The impact varies enormously - some people with severe acne cope well, while others struggle deeply with even minor blemishes, sometimes developing body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), which is more common in people with acne.
- Acne causes both physical and emotional scarring that can last through life, affecting people during the most vulnerable time of their development
- Society judges people with acne as less attractive, less employable, and less healthy, creating real barriers to opportunities
- Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is significantly more common in people with even mild acne and requires psychiatric or psychological support
- The impact varies widely - some people with severe acne see it as normal, while others are devastated by minor blemishes
" I was seeing in my older patients how a skin condition doesn't affect just you when you're young but leads to this whole life becoming smaller and certainly with acne we see that not just the physical but the emotional scarring that can last through life "
" Society judges people with acne more poorly, not just as less attractive, but less employable and less healthy "
Treatment Effectiveness and the Gratifying Nature of Acne Care
Despite the serious psychological challenges, Tess finds treating young people with acne highly rewarding because effective treatments exist for the majority of cases. She works alongside psychological services to address both the physical condition and its mental health impact. Young people, often unfairly maligned, prove to be excellent patients, and watching them grow from primary school through to having their own children is described as an absolute honour.
- Acne is highly treatable for most people, with very effective treatments available for the majority struggling with the condition
- Working with young people is hugely rewarding as they change so much over time, from primary school to potentially having their own babies
- Psychological services work alongside dermatology to address both the condition and its impact, with different types of support helping different people
" Young people are generally just a really great group of patients to manage because they're changing so much. And to see someone from primary school to maybe having their own babies is just an absolute honour "
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